They didn't plan it this way, but David Usry and Darren Davenport admit the timing of this week's Augusta City Amateur at Forest Hills Golf Club couldn't be better.

Usry, the club's head pro, and Davenport, the golf course superintendent, welcome the opportunity to show area amateurs the improvements they've made to the course over the past 21 months.

No less an authority than Beanie Morris, who has been playing at Forest Hills since 1941, says the course is in its best condition since 1990.

"I think they're going to be surprised that it is so much better than it was last year - much better," Morris said, referring to the field in the 54-hole city amateur, a Regions Cup event which begins a three-day run today.

The so-so condition of the course had been a contentious issue this past year. Walk-up play, and the revenue it brings, dropped off.

Usry, who took over as head pro from Scott Allen in late April, has worked closely with Davenport to improve the course and bring golfers back. And both have happened, according to Usry.

"Yes, the golf course has improved, revenue has definitely increased dramatically and that money is still being put into the golf course," Usry said. "My goal is to get this golf course where it needs to be and where it should have been all along."

The improved conditioning is noticeable from the lush, green fairways (aided by a new fertilizer and recent rain) and the greens.

"We jumped in with both feet on the fertilizer program and it's paid off," Davenport said. "We've got so much grass it's hard to keep it cut now."

The greens, which were criticized for being too firm ever since a seven-month renovation was completed in November 2003, are holding shots.

The main reason for that is because Usry instructed Davenport to verticut the greens for the first time since he took over as superintendent in January 2005. Verticutting takes thatch out of the greens and helps smooth the Bermuda grass, which in turn softens the greens.

"They will hold a shot just unbelievably well, and that's something we haven't seen since we rebuilt them," Davenport said.

Forest Hills assistant pro Bill Walker said Augusta State golfers, who are among the few who play the course from the brutally long back tees, have been holding the greens with 4-iron approach shots.

"It proves it can be done; we can soften it up," Usry said. "We're seeing ball marks. They're spinning balls. Ask the members. Who would have thought that would have happened in two months? They're just shocked. I'm glad they're shocked."

The turnaround has been as fast as it has been dramatic.

"I knew we could do it," Davenport said. "It was just a matter of getting the money put into the golf course, and that's what we've done."

"To be honest with you, we're a little bit farther ahead than I thought we'd be," Usry said. "With our staff, it's been much easier than I thought it would be. When I got here, they jumped on it and got going."

Davenport isn't afraid to show off the course anymore. In late April, when he had friends visiting from Texas, that wasn't the case.

"They didn't play here that week, but when I came in Sunday morning one of them came out with me," Davenport said. "That was tough. He belongs to a high-end country club. Our greens had just started coming out of dormancy and they were no where near where they are now.

"I'll be honest with you, I was embarrassed," Davenport said. "I really was. My friend was very complimentary. But being in the business, I know what he was sitting there thinking.

"I took responsibility for it. But with the budget restraints at the time, it was the best we could do. Now we've got things in place, I'd love for them to come back."

Indeed, the quick turnaround has improved Davenport's mood.

"I'm having fun now," he said. "I was pulling my hair out there for a little while. I think everybody on the property is having fun."

Usry thinks the improved course condition will put to rest complaints the course became too hard in the wake of design changes made during the renovation.

"The condition of these greens made the golf course very difficult, not the layout," Usry said.

Because of the firmness of the greens in the past, "you couldn't control your ball on the greens," Usry said. "If you can't do that, how can you score? That's the first thing Darren and myself and the staff did, was get control of these greens."

Usry expects the top players in the city amateur to prove his point this week by shooting under par scores. To that end, he'll set up the course at around 6,600 yards for the regular division and 6,300 yards for the seniors.

"I think the winning score is going to be under par," Usry said. "I want people to have a chance to score and I think with the condition of the golf course, they should be able to score."

It was in late May that Usry and Davenport first starting getting positive feedback about the course.

"That makes me understand where we're going is the right direction," Usry said. "We've just got to keep going. I don't have any concern about where we're going next. I know we're headed in the right direction. I'm just proud we're as far along as we are."

Reach David Westin at (706) 724-0851 or david.westin@augustachronicle.com.